MARCHING ORDERS: Illinois, Texas schools enter Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings; No. 1 Neumann-Goretti (PA) needs four wins for title

BENSALEM, Pa. – The latest Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings.

Two teams—No. 18 Canyon (Texas) and No. 25 Bent Academy (Lisle, Ill.)—join the Elite 25 rankings. Canyon won a second straight state title, winning the Class 5A chip. Benet won the program’s first-ever Class 4A crown in one of the nation’s toughest brackets.

Nine teams in the Super 25 rankings have claimed state championships, with five more looking to do the same this week.

Gazing into the crystal basketball, the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament is still a bit of a mystery but we keep hearing at least three schools in the Elite 25 rankings have the upper hand. So far, No. 5 Dillard (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and No. 13 Miami Country Day appear to have a foot in the door and regionally-ranked Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, Wash.) is assured of a spot. That fourth slot is still up for grabs but a Utah state champion and a few other options are being discussed.

The picture will come into focus next week.

Check back periodically at www.bluestarmedia.org for staff updates from showcase events all season. Our staff will be busy until early April. The Elite 25 girls’ rankings return on March 18. Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day next Tuesday!

We hope to see you at a game soon, but you better hurry because time is running out on the high school season. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball rankings, March 11, 2015

1. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (27-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low down: Georgia Tech-bound PG Ciani Cryor posted a double-double with 21 points, 10 assists and 4 steals in a 77-37 triumph over Trinity (Camp Hill) in the Class AA first round. The Saints jumped to a 19-6 lead after one period and poured it on. Sianni Martin added 14 points. Next up is Minersville on Tuesday in the AA second round.

2. Blackman, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (32-2)*

Previous: 3.

Low down: It was a historical day in Murfreesboro. First, the Lady Blaze won their second straight Class AAA championship, edging crosstown rivals Oakland (Murfreesboro), 58-54, in double overtime. Second, it marked the sixth consecutive that Murfreesboro had a team in the state’s largest classification final. Finally, it was the first time that two Murfreesboro school played in a girls’ final. Not bad! The same can be said for Crystal Dangerfield, who was named the AAA tournament most valuable player and Tennessee’s Miss Basketball. The Connecticut recruit tossed in 18 points but it was Jazz Bond’s layup with 58 seconds that made it 56-54 and the Lady Blaze held on for a fifth win this season over Oakland. Also, Blackman beat Morristown West, 60-40, in the semifinals and Mount Juliet, 58-48, in the quarterfinals. Season complete.

3. St. Mary’s, Stockton, Calif. (30-1)

Previous: 4.

Low down: Freshman Aquira DeCosta finished with 24 points, 13 boards and 3 blocks as the Rams shredded McClatchy (Sacramento), 78-55, in the CIF-Sac-Joaquin Section Division I final. The Rams won their eighth straight sectional crown and 16^th overall. In the semifinals, they buried Davis, 86-48. Next up are the CIF-Northern California Regional Open Division playoffs against Modesto Christian in the first round on Friday.

4. Myers Park, Charlotte, N.C. (28-1)

Previous: 5.

Low down: Crushed unbeaten Northwest Guilford (Greensboro), 58-38, in the Class 4AWest final. The Mustangs, who were led by MVP Aliyah Mazyck with 30 points, are the second Mecklenburg County 4A girls’ team to reach the state final in back-to-back years. D.D. Rogers and Mazyck have teamed for a career 118-4 record with one game to go. In the semifinals, the Mustangs Reynolds (Winston-Salem), 64-36, as Chanin Scott scored 18 points. Next up is the 4A final on against Southeast Raleigh at the Smith Center on Saturday in Chapel Hill.

5. Dillard, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (30-1)*

Previous: 9.

Low down: Won Class 5A state championship. An invite to the Dick’s Nationals on April 3 in New York should be in the offing. Regular season is complete.

6. Cypress Woods, Cypress, Texas (35-1)*

Previous: 8.

Low down: Won Class 6A state championship, beating Skyline (Dallas), 57-49, in the final. MVP Erica Ogwumike finished with 26 points, 8 boards and 5 steals and joined older sisters, Nneka and Chiney, in not only winning state titles but also bagging MVP honors. Erica is off to Pepperdine in the fall. In the semifinals, 6-9 junior C Nancy Mulkey, who was selected to the all-tournament team, contributed 21 points (9 of 13 shooting), 14 points and 4 blocks to knock out hometown San Antonio Wagner, 79-60, at the Alamodome. Season complete.

7. Chaminade, West Hills, Calif. (25-3)

Previous: 13.

Low down: Sophomore Isabel Newman grabbed an offensive rebound and sank a 15-foot jumper with 3.8 seconds left for the decisive points, propelling the Eagles over then-No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 64-63, the CIF-Southern Division Open Division final. It was their second one-point win over Mater Dei this season and might not be the last as both could meet in the upcoming regional tournament. Paige Fecscke, who netted 25 points, helped the Eagles rally from a 56-47 hole heading into the fourth period. Next up is Narbonne (Harbor City) in the CIF-Southern California Region Open Division first round on Friday.

8. Marian, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (21-1)

Previous: 7.

Low down: The Mustangs rolled to Class A District 25 title, defeating Harrison (Farmington Hills), 74-42, in the final and North Farmington, 49-18, in the semifinals. Next up are the Regional 5 semifinals on Tuesday vs. Southfield-Lathrup. The winner gets Stevenson (Livonia) or Mercy (Farmington Hills) in the final. The regional winner advances to the 4A state quarterfinals.

9. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (28-2)

Previous: 2.

Low down: For the second straight year, the Monarchs were upended in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division final, this time losing to then-No. x Chaminade (West Hills), 64-63.  Connecticut-bound, All-America F Katie Lou Samuelson poured in a game-high 31 points but could not get a clean look on the final shot. Don’t be surprise when the teams meet for a third time in the CIF-Southern California Regional Open Division playoffs that tip this week when the Monarchs play Palisades (Pacific Palisades) on Friday.

10. Elizabethtown, Ky. (31-2)

Previous: 9.

Low down: The Lady Panthers captured the 5^th Region final, waxing Nelson County (Bardstown), 66-38, in the final. Also, they defeated Adair County (Columbia), 73-50, in the semifinals and Bardstown, 64-27, in the quarterfinals. Next up is the Sweet Sixteen single-class state tournament on Wednesday against Mercer County (Harrodsburg) in Bowling Green.

11. Olive Branch, Miss. (31-1)

Previous: 10.

Low down: Myah Taylor threw in 16 points and the Lady Quistors scored the first 11 points of the game to defeated Hancock (Kiln), 57-34, in the Class 6A quarterfinals. The Lady Quistors have won 16 straight and all 31 games this season against in-state competition. Next up is Harrison Central (Gulfport) in the semifinals on Wednesday.

12. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (32-2)*

Previous: 11.

Low down: Won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and a ninth straight Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I championship. Season complete.

13. Miami (Fla.) Country Day (30-2)*

Previous: 12.

Low down: Won second consecutive Class 3A state championship. Season complete.

14. Braintree, Mass. (24-0)

Previous: 14.

Low down: Senior Bridget Herlihy surpassed 1,000 career points as the Wamps defeated Andover, 61-37, in Division 1 semifinals at TD Garden in Boston. Also, they clipped Bishop Feehan (Attleboro), 58-49, in the South Section final and Newton South, 67-33, in the semifinals. The final is at the DCU Center in Worcester on Saturday.

15. Cumberland Valley, Mechanicsburg, Pa. (28-1)

Previous: 15.

Low down: Nine different players scored, topped by junior Kelly Jakot’s 20 points and 9 rebound to drill Boyertown, 48-23, in the Class AAAA first round. The Eagles are paired with Cedar Crest (Lebanon) in the second round on Tuesday. The quarterfinals are Friday.

16. Capital Prep, Hartford, Conn. (22-1)

Previous: 16.

Low down: After a first-round bye, the Trailblazers cruised by Weaver (Hartford), 94-60, in the Class L second round. Next up is Daniel Hand (Madison) in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

17. Columbus (Ind.) North (28-1)*

Previous: 17.

Low down: Won Class 4A state championship, defeating then-No. 19 Homestead (Fort Wayne), 62-56. Notre Dame-bound Ali Patberg, a McDonald’s All-American Game selection, tossed in 31 points, snared 9 board and handed off 5 assists. The Bulldogs trailed by nine points in the third but Patberg’s jumper touched off an 18-6 run, putting them in front 47-44. It was the Eagles’ second trip to the final, finishing second in 2012. Season complete.

18. Canyon, Texas (34-3)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Low down: Won Class 5A championship, stopping Bryan Adams (Dallas), 48-41, in the final for the program’s 17^th overall title and second straight. Sophomore G Angel Hayden had 26 points and 9 rebounds. In the semifinals, Hayden dropped in 21 points and the Eagles made 17 of 20 free throws in the decisive fourth quarter to bounce Rudder (Bryan), 59-45. Season complete.

19. Poly, Long Beach, Calif. (25-3)

Previous: 13.

Low down: Idle. The Jackrabbits tip off the Southern California Region first round vs. Mission Hills (San Marcos) on Friday.

20. Konawaena, Kealakekua, Hawaii (30-1)*

Previous: 22.

Low down: Won Division I state championship, Season complete.

21. Archbishop Alter, Kettering, Ohio (26-0)

Previous: 23.

Low down: Defeated Hughes (Cincinnati), 85-45 in Division 2, Mason 2 District final. Maddie Bazelak scored 20 points. Next up is Bishop Hartley (Columbus) in the Region 8 semifinals on Tuesday. The winner gets Kenton Ridge (Springfield) or Tippecanoe (Tipp City) on Friday in the final.

22. Maize, Kan. (22-0)

Previous: 24.

Low down: Stopped Hutchinson, 63-50, in the Class 6A sub-state final. Keiryn Swenson, an Arkansas signee, scored 23 points. Wichita West, 94-31, in semifinals. The 6A state tournament quarterfinals are Thursday against Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park), the semifinals are Friday and championship is Saturday all at Wichita State University’s Koch Arena.

23. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (26-1)

Previous: 23.

Low down: Defeated Edina, 66-28, in Class 4A, Sectional 6 semifinals and St. Louis Park, 92-44, in the first round. The Royals face crosstown rivals Minnetonka in sectional final on Wednesday.

24. Ursuline Academy, Wilmington, Del. (21-1)

Previous: 24.

Low down: Overwhelmed Concord (Wilmington), 72-23, in the State Tournament quarterfinals. Adrianna Hahn scored 17 points and Alisha Lewis added 10 as the Raiders downed Lake Forest (Felton), 57-26, in the second round. The single-class tournament continues with archrivals St. Elizabeth (Wilmington) in the semifinals on Wednesday. The championship game is Friday at the University of Delaware’ Carpenter Center in Newark.

25. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (34-3)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Low down: Won first-ever Class 4A championship, routing Fremd (Palatine), 61-39, in the final. Kathleen Doyle contributed 18 points and 5 assists and Emily Schramek had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Season complete.

Dropped: No. 18 Homestead, Fort Wayne, Ind.; and No. 25 Whitney Young, Chicago.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Central Bucks West, Doylestown, Pa. (29-1)

2. Manasquan, N.J. (26-2)

3. Edison, Alexandria, Va. (27-1)

4. St. Rose, Belmar, N.J. (29-1)

5. Long Island Lutheran, Brookhaven, N.Y. (19-4)

Geography: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.

Midlands

1. Martin Luther King, Detroit (21-1)

2. Pius XI, Milwaukee (26-0)

3. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel-Nor, Mo. (25-2)

4. Eastview, Apple Valley, Minn. (27-1)

5. Heritage Christian, Indianapolis (28-2)*

Geography: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

South

1. Warren Easton, New Orleans (36-1)*

2. Lake Highland Prep, Orlando, Fl. (29-2)*

3. Jeff Davis, Montgomery, Ala. (31-5)*

4. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (24-6)*

5. Natchez, Miss. (22-1)

Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Far West

1. Gonzaga Prep, Spokane, Wash. (27-0)*

2. Miramonte, Orinda, Calif. (28-2)

3. ThunderRidge, Highlands, Colo. (24-2)

4. Centennial, Las Vegas (31-2)*

5. Sky View, Smithfield, Utah (25-0)*

Geography: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

* Won state, national or conference postseason tournament championship

 About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Girls’ Basketball Rankings are released weekly from November until the conclusion of the high school season. Criteria considered are the quality of the team and its players, strength of schedule, tradition, and quality of the team’s league, conference, region or district. Teams with fifth-year or postgraduate players will not be ranked. The rankings are compiled by Blue Star Media’s Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released April 4. Follow him on Twitter: @clawlor.